Outstanding top performance and maximum dynamism combined with
excellent suitability for everyday use are the impressive features
of the new Audi RS 6 Avant, which will be unveiled to the public for
the first time at the IAA 2007 in Frankfurt. A newly developed V10
engine with FSI direct injection and twin turbochargers, permanent
quattro four-wheel drive and sports suspension with Dynamic Ride
Control DRC set the standard for high-performance vehicles in the
luxury class. 426 kW (580 bhp) and a maximum torque of 650 Nm add up
to an unforgettable performance experience. At the same time, the
new Audi RS 6 Avant offers a high standard of travel comfort on
long journeys, too.

The Audi RS models from quattro GmbH are the ultimate in sportiness,
complemented by powerful and elegant design, exclusive equipment and
perfect quality. It has also meanwhile become a good tradition that
their sports performance is combined with the high utility value of
an Avant: the very first Audi RS2, which appeared in 1993, was only
built as an Avant model. Although the unique Audi RS driving
sensation can now be experienced in saloon, Avant and Cabriolet
models as is the case with the current RS 4 customers especially
appreciate the combination of dynamism and versatility that an Avant
offers.

The new Audi RS 6 will therefore only be available as an Avant to
start with, with the unrivalled combination of 580 bhp and a maximum
1,660 litres of luggage space. The Audi RS 6 Avant will be launched
in April 2008.

The new leader in the performance category

The Audi RS 6 redefines the term high performance in the business
class. With its 426 kW (580 bhp), it is the most powerful model in
the current Audi range and with the exception of pure racing cars
like the Le Mans-winning Audi R10 TDI the most potent Audi of all
time. But not only that: it is also clearly superior to all
competitors in the top performance category.

The ten-cylinder V-configuration engine in the RS 6 is based on the
V10 powerplants of the Audi S6 and Audi S8, but has been redeveloped
in practically every respect to attain the significantly higher
level of performance. The twin turbochargers ensure an impressively
constant stream of power over the entire engine speed range: the
mighty peak torque of 650 Nm is available across the entire range
from 1,500 to 6,250 rpm; maximum output is available between 6,250
and 6,700 rpm.

The road performance of a super sports car

This powerplant enables the Audi RS 6 Avant to achieve the road
performance of a high-performance sports car. It requires just 4.6
seconds for the sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h, and
reaches the 200 km/h mark in a mere 14.9 seconds. Only when the
needle touches 250 km/h is the propulsive power electronically
governed. The power-to-weight ratio, too, matches that of a
first-rate sports car: after all, with a vehicle weight of 2,025
kilograms including the dynamic and sure-footed quattro four-wheel
drive every horsepower of the RS 6 Avant has to propel just 3.5
kilograms

The ten-cylinder concept provides the ideal basis for a
high-performance unit of this calibre. The V10 is unusually compact
with an overall length of 670 millimetres and is very light with a
total weight of 278 kilograms. TFSI technology from Audi, the
combination of direct injection and turbocharging, ensures efficient
power output, based on extensive experience in the field of motor
sport: the R8 racing car, a pioneer of TFSI technology, captured a
series of victories for the brand with the four rings at Le Mans.

Racing technology for high efficiency

FSI direct injection delivers precisely metered amounts of fuel into
the combustion chambers at a pressure of up to 120 bar. This permits
a compression ratio of 10.5:1, which is very high for a turbo
engine. Remarkably efficient combustion is the result. The engine is
thus content with a standard consumption of 13.9 litres a very
good figure in view of the potential offered.

A further feature adopted from racing technology is the dry-sump
lubrication system used on the V10. By virtue of the elaborate
design of the oil pump module and oil tank, reliable lubrication of
all engine components and both turbochargers is guaranteed, even
with constant lateral acceleration of 1.2 g.

Thanks to FSI technology and the optimised design of the
turbocharger and air ducts, the ten-cylinder unit is extremely
responsive and converts minimum movements of the throttle into
dynamic acceleration. Yet the twin turbo is by no means a
rough-and-ready sports engine: it runs smoothly and with refinement,
as is typical of a ten-cylinder unit. When accelerating, of course,
its dual-branch exhaust system with two oval tailpipes produces that
sonorous sporty, throaty sound an essential feature of a
high-performance automobile. Those who wish to enhance this daily
delight for the ears even further may opt for the alternative sports
exhaust system.

tiptronic with exceptionally short shift times

The six-speed tiptronic is the perfect complement to the
self-confident, powerful character of the RS 6. Its hydraulics and
control system have been optimised to achieve exceptionally short
shift times; the ratios have been adapted accordingly. It goes
without saying that the new RS 6 transmits its tremendous power to
the road via quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The latest
generation not only provides substantially more driving safety and
stability than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive, it also underscores
the distinctly dynamic character of the RS 6.

In its basic setting, the centre differential distributes 40 percent
of the power to the front and 60 percent to the rear wheels this
slightly rear-biased setup produces particularly dynamic handling
characteristics.

Suspension for performance and comfort

The suspension of the Audi RS 6 has been consistently designed for
maximum dynamic performance along with good travelling comfort on
long journeys, too. Shock absorber and spring settings as well as
the entire elastokinematics of the four-link front suspension and
the trapezoidal-link rear suspension have been adapted to the new
level of performance. The characteristics of the servotronic
speed-dependent power assistance have also been retuned. The
steering is consequently very sensitive and delivers optimum
feedback from the road.

All in all, in terms of driving feel the RS 6 combines the precision
and cornering ability of a sports car with the relaxed straight-line
stability of a comfortable cruiser. The standard Dynamic Ride
Control DRC, familiar from the current RS 4 and consistently
enhanced, plays a major role here. This system reduces pitching and
rolling movements about the longitudinal and transverse axis of the
vehicle in a particularly ingenious way entirely without the aid
of electronics and solely according to the laws of fluid dynamics.

An individual driving feel

With Dynamic Ride Control the shock absorbers are connected
diagonally with each other via two oil lines and two control valves.
Body movement e.g. rolling when cornering at high speed on an
uneven road surface produces flows of oil, which generate
additional damping force. As a result, the RS 6 boasts even more
directional control through bends and reacts with substantially more
precision to the steering inputs of the driver.

Dynamic Ride Control on the new RS 6 can be supplemented if desired
with optional three-stage damping. This allows the driver to select
the handling characteristics according to his/her personal
preferences or chosen route. In the comfort setting, the sports
suspension plus provides remarkable ride comfort, in the dynamic
program it adjusts superbly to an enthusiastic driving style and in
the sport mode it delivers maximum driving precision.

The sporty setting of the electronic stabilisation program ESP is an
ideal match here: the point of intervention is very late, permitting
a high degree of driving enjoyment whilst fully maintaining driving
safety. Alternatively, the ESP may be completely deactivated.

Ceramic brakes for the exceptional athlete

An athlete of such exceptional calibre as the Audi RS 6 naturally
requires an outstanding brake system. The standard 19-inch steel
discs have been designed for maximum load. They consist of an
aluminium brake-disc chamber and a cast friction ring, both
connected with each other in a floating arrangement via metal pins.
This design increases thermal stability and reduces weight.

Optionally, in conjunction with 20-inch wheels, a ceramic brake
system is available: it boasts discs with an impressive diameter of
420 millimetres at the front and 356 millimetres at the rear, which
endure the most extreme thermal loads with ease and have a very long
operating life. Equally impressive are the tyre sizes: the standard
19-inch wheels with the new 10-spoke design are shod with size
255/40 R 19 tyres; the optional 20-inch wheels are fitted with
275/35 R 20 tyres.

Self-assured appearance with functional features

Its independent design lends the Audi RS 6 a striking and
self-assured look without any hint of aggression. In fact, the
clear front-end design with the remodelled bumper and accentuated
apertures evidently follows function: the high-performance
powerplant requires a considerable amount of air to breathe as well
as for cooling. The fact that it belongs to the RS family is
emphasised by the matt aluminium-look single-frame grille featuring
a highly polished black guard in a diamond design.

The headlights on the Audi RS 6 are miniature works of art in
high-tech terms: to create space in the front apron for additional
air flow, the halogen fog lights have been integrated alongside the
bi-xenon headlights, optionally with adaptive light, the cornering
light function.

The LED daytime running lights strip adds a distinctive touch: ten
LEDs at the lower edge of each headlight unit lend the Audi RS 6 a
striking appearance, by day or night. A flat cover at the top of the
headlights sharpens the look of the business/sports car. The
taillights, too, largely employ LED technology.

Striking design derived from the Ur-quattro

The rear of the Audi RS 6 is characterised by the oval exhaust
tailpipes and the diffuser-look apron. A roof spoiler completes the
aerodynamic fine-tuning of this high-performance vehicle. The side
outline is distinguished by wide, flared wheel arches. Like the
engine compartment lid, the front wings are made of aluminium in
order to reduce weight. They accommodate the mighty wheels of the
new Audi RS 6, yet are also reminiscent of a milestone in automotive
history: the flat tops of the wheel arches with their clear edges
were counted among the design elements of the Audi quattro the
pioneer of permanent four-wheel drive from the year 1980. A
metallic/pearl effect paint finish is standard; new colours Sepang
Blue, Monza Silver and Monterrey Green are exclusively reserved for
the RS 6.

Elegant and exclusive interior

The interior of the new RS 6 offers an impressive synthesis of
sporty elegance and exclusiveness. The extremely high standard of
craftsmanship typical for Audi is complemented by an equally sporty
and elegant combination of top-class materials. Carbon fibre,
aluminium, leather and Alcantara create an ambience that is unique
even in the world of high-performance cars.

The main control element is and remains the steering wheel: on the
RS 6 the customer can choose between the multifunction sports
steering wheel with a 3‑spoke design and the particularly
distinctive flat-bottomed RS sports steering wheel, likewise with
multifunction controls and shift paddles for the transmission. The
cockpit in the typical RS design additionally features a boost
pressure gauge. Displays for boost pressure, oil temperature and lap
timer can be called up via the driver information system.

The inlays are made of carbon fibre and edged in aluminium, the
cockpit trim gleams with its piano black finish. Additional
highlights in the interior are provided by the aluminium-coloured
keys of the MMI terminal on the centre console, the milled-finish
door handles and the aluminium-look sports pedals. The highly
contoured sports seats are covered in a combination of leather and
Alcantara with an embossed RS 6 emblem or optionally wrapped
completely in Silk Nappa or Valcona leather.

Extensive equipment, individual options

This high-performance vehicle naturally deserves an appropriate
level of standard equipment. In addition to design and technical
elements specific to the RS 6, this includes the audio system with
powerful Bose Surround Sound, heated seats at the front and rear, a
tyre pressure monitoring system and Audi parking system plus.
Together with the wide range of high-tech options for the Audi A6
series, every RS 6 can be perfectly matched to the drivers
individual wishes. The Audi RS 6 is consequently a sporty business
car with great versatility, making it suitable for a variety of
leisure activities, too.